CNES Annual Report 03/04

transportation

“For much of the past decade, major infrastructure projects have dominated the work of the Transportation Committee. With many of these now successfully completed, road strengthening works are high on the agenda once again. In 2003, the Committee allocated an extra £500,000 towards improving roads throughout the Western Isles.”

Donald Manford
Chairman: Transportation Committee

Photos: Coach Alasdair Mackenzie with Back Football Club in one of the Comhairle’s new minibuses • Some of the Comhairle’s bus fleet

Community Focus:
The new Sound of Barra ferry service

Investment in a modern, efficient and affordable transport network for the Western Isles is a prerequisite to growing and sustaining thriving local communities. Throughout 2003/04, the Transportation Committee continued to advance strategic investment in inter-island links and community transport initiatives. Working with HITRANS, the Committee supported moves towards securing a reliable air and sea service offering local businesses and residents real choice and value for money.

Key Achievements

Tailoring service to meet demand was the objective of a comprehensive consultation on public transport undertaken in 2003/04. All bus contracts in the Western Isles were re-tendered, taking into account the needs of schools, local communities and visitors.
Improvements to the management of the Comhairle’s minibus fleet were achieved through the appointment of a Minibus Co-ordinator responsible for ensuring that all the vehicles are used effectively and made regularly available for community use at competitive rates.
The Transportation Committee was successful in securing the agreement of the Scottish Executive to reinstate the Glasgow-Barra Public Service Order (PSO) for a further two-year period and to undertake a review of future options for air service links to Barra.

Looking Ahead

Completion of the Western Isles Spinal Route will remain a priority for the Transportation Committee. A funding package for the schemes is being finalised and work on the Harris sections of the route are scheduled to start in 2004. Tender documents will also be issued for the Uist section so that work can commence in summer 2005.

Stornoway will see new traffic regulations introduced aimed at improving pedestrian safety and creating short-stay parking spaces close to the main shopping area. The town’s Bus Station will be significantly upgraded in 2004/05 to meet the safety and comfort needs of passengers. And the Comhairle will also be assisting Disability Lewis in making Stornoway town centre more accessible to disabled shoppers by developing a Shopmobility service.

Making Waves:
New Ferry for the Sound of Barra

The southern-most link in the inter-island chain was greatly improved in 2003 when Calmac took over the operation of the Sound of Barra ferry. Capable of carrying commercial vehicles and an increased number of cars and foot-passengers, the Calmac ferry is a major improvement on the service previously provided by the Comhairle. Travelling through the main islands of the Western Isles in one day is now possible – an improvement which benefits both local businesses and residents. Jobs on the ferry service have now doubled from four to eight.

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